Anthem Release Date/Time, Legion Of Dawn Edition, And Pre-Order Bonuses Guide (US)

EA's new third-person shooter/RPG, Anthem, is just hours away. The BioWare-developed game has a release date on PS4, Xbox One, and PC of February 22, but thanks to EA's various membership programs, some players are already able to dive into it. Those with a subscription to EA Access on Xbox One or Origin Access on PC can now play its first 10 hours on their respective platforms, while Origin Access Premier members have access to the full game. Its exact release time is set for midnight local time on February 22--or sooner, depending on exactly where you reside. Friday marks the first time Anthem will be playable on PS4, which does not have an EA Access-style program currently.

Anthem represents a marked departure for BioWare. While it still features RPG elements, the game is a Destiny-like cooperative shooter that lets players go it alone or take to the skies with up to three friends to tackle story-based campaign missions, fetch quests, and challenging raid-like strongholds. Each player is cast in the role of a Freelancer, one of the soldiers trained to survive the grueling landscape of a hostile world, and the city you protect will task you with different types of expeditions, ranging from exploring uncharted caverns to fighting off dangerous monsters. You'll do this with the help of armored exo-suits, called Javelins, that gift Freelancers with superhuman abilities, such as flight.

There are four Javelins scheduled to be included in Anthem at launch. All players start with the Ranger, which is designed for those who want to fight with precision or have access to an array of support abilities and grenades. While playing, you'll also unlock--in whichever order you want--the close-combat specialist Interceptor, long-distance and elemental caster Storm, and hulking tank-like Colossus. You'll also find new weapons and craft different pieces of armor for your Javelins, allowing you to shape your exo-suit in whatever way you desire.

Our Anthem review is now live. In it, Kallie Plagge raises concerns with the game's story, pacing, and boss fights, among other issues. "Anthem has good ideas, but it struggles significantly with the execution. It's a co-op game that works best with no one talking; it buries genuinely interesting character moments and puts its most incomprehensible story bits at the forefront; its combat is exciting until you get to the boss fights and find your wings have been clipped. Even the simple, exhilarating act of flying is frequently interrupted by the limitations of your javelin, and you never quite shake that feeling of disappointment--of knowing, throughout the good parts of Anthem, that you'll inevitably come crashing back down."

Provided you're interested in picking up Anthem, there are two different versions available, including the premium Legion of Dawn edition. If you pre-order before launch later tonight, you'll receive certain bonuses. We've outlined those, along with each editions' price and where you can pre-order them, below.

Anthem Pre-Order Bonuses

Regardless of edition, EA is offering two bonuses for pre-ordering Anthem. The first is a Founders-themed player banner, which you can use to customize your in-game profile when Anthem launches. The second was access to the exclusive VIP demo; this, however, has already passed, as has the subsequent open demo.

Certain retailers are offering their own exclusive pre-order bonuses as well. If you reserve the title at GameStop ahead of its release, you'll receive the above exclusive Edge of Resolve vinyl (skin) for your Javelin. If you pre-order the title in-store, the code for the vinyl will be printed on your receipt, while those who pre-order online will receive it via email "within two business days" after the game ships.

Anthem Standard Edition

If you pre-order the standard edition of Anthem, you'll also get the Legion of Dawn armor skin for your Ranger Javelin, as well as a special weapon.

Here's where you can pre-order the standard edition now:

• Amazon -- $60 -- (digital copy) -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC
• Best Buy -- $60 (includes $10 reward certificate) -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC
• GameStop -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One
• Microsoft Store -- $60 -- Xbox One ($53 with EA Access)
• Newegg -- $50 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC
• PlayStation Store -- $60 -- PS4
• Target -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC
• Walmart -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC

Anthem Legion of Dawn Edition

Pre-ordering Anthem's Legion of Dawn Edition nets you the armor for all four Javelins, as well as a special legendary weapon and a few more bonuses, such as a Gear Attachment for Ranger and the digital soundtrack of the game.

Here's where you can pre-order the Legion of Dawn Edition now:

• Amazon -- $80 -- (digital copy) -- PS4 | Xbox One
• Best Buy -- $80 (includes $10 reward certificate) -- PS4 | Xbox One | PC
• GameStop -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox One
• Microsoft Store -- $80 -- Xbox One ($72 with EA Access)
• Newegg -- $70 -- PS4 | Xbox One
• PlayStation Store -- $80 -- PS4
• Target -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox One
• Walmart -- $80 -- PS4 | Xbox One